Hi John,

One of the best parts of my job is meeting different people, from right across the country. 

It’s fair to say that most New Zealanders don’t ask for a lot – they just want to know that their hard work will be rewarded with a better life for themselves and their families. But I know that it’s tough right now, and many feel like they’re not getting ahead.

We’re in an economic cycle and things will get better. In the meantime, I want to do everything I can to help ease the cost of living. But to fix the problems households are facing you have to understand them. My upbringing in the Hutt grounded me in the reality of working families with big aspirations and it’s those values that drive me every day.

I’m in politics to make a difference. This election is the first chance for me to fully set out my own agenda for the future and I’m really excited about the announcements we’ve made so far.

A re-elected Labour government will:

1. Remove GST from fruit and vegetables, saving families around $20 a month. In the face of high food prices, this is a small and responsible way we can ease the pressure at the checkout. And we’ll task the newly appointed Grocery Commissioner with making sure this cost saving is passed on to Kiwis, not supermarkets.
   
   
2. Introduce four weeks Paid Partner’s Leave, to support all parents to be part of their babies’ youngest days and provide extra financial help when families need it most.
   
   
3. Give those on Working for Families a big bump, with the largest ever boost to the In-Work Tax Credit which will deliver targeted meaningful cost of living support to around 160,000 low and medium-income working families.

These commitments build on the cost of living measures that we’ve already put in place.

Like scrapping the $5 prescription fee, making public transport free or cheaper for young people, and extending 20 weeks free ECE to two-year-olds. I’ll have more to say on Labour’s 10-point Cost of Living Plan soon, too!

I want all our young people to step out into the world after school with the life skills that they will need to thrive. Today, I announced that Labour will make it compulsory for schools to teach financial skills like budgeting, debt and savings. We’re building on our work to reinforce the basics like reading, writing and maths alongside the teaching of our own New Zealand history. You can find out more about it here.

Under my leadership, Labour is focused on the bread and butter issues that matter most. We’re running a positive, forward-looking campaign that's focused on cutting inflation, bringing down the cost of living, keeping people and communities safe and investing in education, health and housing.

But make no mistake: there’s a lot at stake this election.

Christopher Luxon’s unaffordable tax cuts for millionaires only adds up with big cuts to schools and hospitals. And ACT are proposing to sell state assets and gut the public services that New Zealanders rely on.

It’s not just out of touch, it’s a huge risk.

When times are tough, New Zealanders need a leader who’s in it for them – and I am.

Thanks,
Chris